Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 9.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

Notes and Queries.

We publish with pleasure the following:

Memphis, Tenn., September 27, 1881.
Editor Southern Historical Papers, Richmond, Va.:

Dear Sir,--The concluding article in your August number is a statement from Major W. W. Parker that Johnson's battery, from Richmond, Va., should properly be credited with firing the last shots from the Army of Northern Virginia on that memorable Sunday morning at Appomattox Courthouse, whereas I had always been under a different impression; and though it is a matter of no consequence now, still it is [430] as well to have things stated as they actually occurred, if they are stated at all. And without meaning for a moment to intimate that Major P. would have it otherwise, I think the following statement will be corroborated by every man who was within hearing of General Gordon's voice when he gathered around him that Sunday afternoon the torn and battle-scarred remnant of that noble body of men (the Second corps) who had followed Jackson, Ewell, Early and himself through such trying scenes, to make to them a farewell address. Seeing amongst the number some men without muskets, and supposing them to be of those who had wilfully thrown them away, he ordered them off, saying his remarks were only for those who had held out to the last; but when told that they were artillerymen he recalled them and apologized, saying he had something special to say to them. After mentioning many deeds of which the men then around him should justly feel proud, though it had all gone for naught, he said he wanted particularly to “commend the men that day under the command of Colonel R. F. Hardaway of the First battalion Virginia artillery” (composed of the old Rockbridge battery, Dance's Powhatan battery, one company of the Richmond Howitzers, and Griffin's Salem battery) “who in the beginning of the war in Virginia had fired the first guns from the army” --meaning the Howitzers at Big Bethel in May, 1861,--“and to day, after firing the last shots from the Army of Northern Virginia, had retired in as good order as though they were leaving the parade ground,” meaning this last to apply to Griffin's battery, which was stationed just in the village; and if any artillery was fired after this battery ceased firing the sound was not heard within a mile of Appomattox Courthouse, or within General Gordon's hearing.

Respectfully,

N. B. Johnston.

What Infantry Regiment accompanied General Stuart to Ely's Ford the night Jackson was wounded at Chancellorsville?

The following letter from our friend, Major H. B. McClellan, explains itself and will, we hope, elicit the desired information:

Rev. J. Wm. Jones, Secretary Southern Historical Society:

My Dear Sir,--On the evening of the 2d May, 1862, after Jackson's first success at Chancellorsville, General J. E. B. Stuart obtained from General Jackson one regiment of infantry, with which he moved toward Ely's Ford to disperse a force of the enemy reported to be at that point, and to take possession of the Ford. Before accomplishing [431] his purpose he was recalled to the army to take command of Jackson's corps.

Can any of your readers give me the name of the infantry regiment which was employed in this service, and place me in communication with the officer who was then in command, or with any other who personally participated in the attack which was made after Stuart left the regiment to assume command of the corps? If so, I shall esteem it a great favor.

Yours respectfully,

H. B. Mcclellan. Lexington, Ky., 26th September, 1881.

Desired return of the Sword of a Federal Officer.

My brother, Lieutenant Aaron Wilkes, Company B, Sixth New Jersey volunteers, was among the killed at the battle of Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862. His sword, the scabbard of which, bearing the engraved inscription, “Presented to Lieutenant Aaron Wilkes by Company B, Sixth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers,” was taken from his body at the time. I will be duly grateful for its return to me, or for any information leading to its recovery, and will most glady assume any expense incident thereon.--Peter Wilkes, Trenton, N. J.

[We will deem ourselves personally obliged by any attention, as solicited, and request of our good friend, Rev. J. William Jones, D. D., Secretary of the Southern Historical Society and the editor of its invaluable Papers, the favor of the mention of the above in its department of Notes and Queries.--R. A. B.]

We have clipped the above from the Notes and Queries of the Richmond Standard, edited by the accomplished Secretary of the Virginia Historical Society (R. A. Brock, Esq.), and we add a similar request which we have received:

25 Hill St., Newark, N. J.
Rev. J. W. Jones, Secretary Southern Historical Society:

Dear Sir,--In a conversation with my friend, Colonel Marshall McDonald, formerly of the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, now of the United States Fish Commission, as to the prospects and best means of regaining my sword, he referred me to you. I hardly need say that any information will be thankfully received because it is self-evident.

All the data I can give is this. The sword is a line-officer's sword (infantry) [432] with leather scabbard. Inscribed on the brass mounting is: “Presented to Lieutenant Fred. W. Mather, by Company I, Seventh New York Artillery.” I am not sure about the “W.” in the name as I dropped it about that time as a superfluity. I was in the regiment named, First Division, Second Corps Army of the Potomac (Hancock's) and was captured on the 16th June, 1864, near the Jerusalem Plank Road, Petersburg. I think it was Pickett's division, or corps in our front, and although I took the name of the officer to whom I delivered it, it was worn out in my pocket during my nine months confinement. I think he was major of a Georgia regiment, but am not certain. I am aware that this affords you a small margin of information, but it is all I have, and anything which may lead to the recovery of my sword will be gratefully remembered.

I am sir, very truly yours,

Fred. Mather.